Manhattan Valley: Manhattan Neighborhood Guide

Manhattan Valley is the Manhattan neighborhood between Central Park West and Broadway from 96th Street to 110th Street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Named for the slope of Manhattan Avenue, this neighborhood has a few quiet blocks with gorgeous townhouses, brownstones and the distinctive architecture along Central Park.

In 2007 the Landmark Preservation Commission designated Manhattan Avenue between 104th and 106th Streets a historic district comprised of 40 buildings.

Many of Manhattan's earlier row houses were primarily built with brownstone facades in the classical style but the structures in the Manhattan Avenue district combine Gothic, Queen Anne and Romanesque features.

Originally called "New" Avenue when it was created in 1868, Manhattan Avenue starts at 100th Street and continues to 125th street where it merges with St. Nicholas Avenue.

One of the first changes to the neighborhood was the conversion of the former New York cancer Hospital site into new condos at:

The castle like structure is a restored French Renaissance style chateau building originally built in 1887.It has intricate wrought iron gates, arcaded loggia and imposing circular towers and slate roof. The building has 5 round turrets because at the time it was built corners were thought to harbor germs.

Columbus Square is a new 710 unit glass rental complex built on Columbus and Amsterdam Avenue. The five-building residential complex houses two private schools and also has about 500,000 square feet of retail space, including a Whole Foods and TJ Maxx. Amenities include gyms, roof decks, bowling lanes and a pool.

Avalon Morningside Park a new rental building at One Morningside Drive and 110th Street, has a 2 story glass entrance with 296 units.

The Ariel, two new luxury residential towers across the street from each other at 99th & Broadway. One (built next to the famous art deco landmark Metro Theatre) has 31 stories with 73 units. The other is 37 stories with 65 units.

Manhattan Valley is bounded by Riverside Park on the west and Central Park on the east. Morningside Park to the north.Riverside Park measures 222 acres and stretches between 72nd and 158th streets. The waterfront park—designed by Central Park's landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux as well as by landscape architect Samuel Parsons—has had several additions over the years. It now has skate parks, tennis courts, handball courts, baseball courts, running tracks, dog runs and kayak and canoe launch sites.

Your in-depth information about these historic neighborhoods is fascinating for those of us outside the NYC marke... as well as incredibly valuable for clients who do live in the city. Thanks and kudos to you!

I love the history lesson. I've passed by many of these older structures not knowing their history - simply admiring the architecture. The juxtaposition of old and new can be jarring or exhilerating....Sometimes I wish new structures wouldn't dwarf the old so much - but that's just me...

Ruthmarie, I love the history too. I've learned so much history since becoming a real estate agent. You're right about the juxtaposition of old and new. It doesn't always work.

IMO, the tower added to the "castle" at 455 CPW compliments the integrity of the existing architecture. FYI: Columbia University bought 15 floors in the tower portion of the condo. They paid around $50 million for 53 luxury condos. 2 and 3 BR apartments approx $1M each. A perk Columbia uses to recruit the best professors.

The 2 glass Ariel towers on the other hand, are considered an "eye sore" by many locals. There was neighborhood opposition to the project. Although sales were not affected (the apartments are gorgeous glass mansions in the sky) after construction was completed, the neighbors fought to change zoning laws that limit building heights. Future new construction in the area will not be 37 stories.

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